Champion Kiwi sprinter King Mufhasa made a triumphant return to Caulfield for a dominant victory in the G1 Futurity Stakes on Saturday.

Given a perfectly-timed run in front by Nash Rawiller, the Rich Hill Stud bred gelding was too strong in the straight for Cox Plate winner Pinker Pinker.  It was his ninth victory at the elite level.

King Mufhasa (NZ) had won the G1 Toorak Hcp at Caulfield in October and, in the interim, had claimed the G1 Captain Cook Stakes back home at Trentham.  The Futurity boosted his bank balance to $2.51 million from 18 wins in 49 starts.

“With Black Caviar out of the way, it made it a lot easier,” trainer Stephen McKee said.  “He has run in Group 1 company for the best part of his career so it’s good to see him get another one.”

He will return home to McKee’s Ardmore stables before returning to Sydney for the George Ryder and / or the All-Aged Stakes.

King Mufhasa (7g Pentire – Sheila Cheval by Mi Preferido) was bred by Rich Hill Stud’s John Thompson and was purchased at the 2006 NZB Select Sale for $50,000.  He is raced by David, Simon and Natalie Archer along David’s partner Diane Wright.

Rich Hill resident Pentire enjoyed a winning week in Australia starting with Lucripetous who stormed home from the back of the field to win at Canterbury on Wednesday.  He is out of Deputy Governor mare My Governess who was placed in a G1 Auckland Cup.

Trainer Chris Waller predicted Lucripetous is going places and he will consider setting the lightly-raced colt for the G1 Rosehill Guineas and G1 AJC Derby or hold off until the Queensland winter carnival.

Pentire also weighed in with a winning double on Friday when Hidden Message and Bambina saluted at Ballarat.  Hidden Message looked a filly with a future when breaking her maiden third time out over 1400m for trainer Danny O’Brien.  She was a $75,000 buy from Rich Hill at the 2010 NZB Karaka yearling sale.